Ogilvy Renault LLP, seemingly keen to edge itself to the front of the pack of tech-savvy law firms, has launched a new mobile app that will give users “instant access to our latest news, information and team of professionals wherever you are through our complete mobile offering.”
Though not the first firm to release a mobile app to promote its happenings — we wrote about the Torys app in our most recent issue, and predicted that mobile apps for firms would soon be the norm — Ogilvy is the first to release one that is compatible not just with an iPhone, but also with BlackBerrys (the lawyers’ smartphone of choice). The app views nicely on any phone with Internet access.
More than just a dumbed-down version of the Ogilvy website, the mobile app (which I tested on an iPhone) includes the firm’s Twitter feed, a list of upcoming events, media reports and office locations that include GPS-enabled maps.
My favourite part, though, is a collection of video podcasts that discuss topics from mining in Canada to harassment in the workplace. The podcasts are all professionally shot, edited and produced, and the page where they’re accessed even includes a series of Q&A sessions involving Ogilvy firm members and hosted by veteran law and business reporter Sandra Rubin.
The app can be downloaded from the firm’s website, or directly from your handset.